Connection device, manufacturing method of the same, and electronic device including the same

ABSTRACT

A connection device and method of manufacturing the same is provided. The connection device includes a housing that includes a first face, into which a plug is introduced, and a second face that is formed to be in contact with the first face, a connection hole that extends to the inside of the housing from the first face, an opening that extends from the first face to the second face to partially expose the connection hole on at least the second face, and a sealing member that is arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the housing to surround a region where the opening is formed. When mounted on the case member of the electronic device, the sealing member may form a dustproof and waterproof structure between the inner peripheral surface of the case member and the outer peripheral surface of the housing.

PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/093,900, filed on Apr. 8, 2016, and claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean Patent Application SerialNo. 10-2015-0066174, which was filed in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice on May 12, 2015, the content of each of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic device, andmore particularly, to a connection device that provides a connection toanother device, a method of manufacturing the connection device, and anelectronic device that includes the connection device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Typically, an electronic device refers to a device that performs aspecific function according to a program, such as an electronicscheduler, a portable multimedia reproducer, a mobile communicationterminal, a tablet PC, an image/sound device, a desktop/laptop PC, or avehicular navigation system, as well as a home appliance. For example,such an electronic device may output information stored therein, assound or an image. As the degree of integration of such an electronicdevice has increased, and high speed, large capacity wirelesscommunication has become popular, various functions have recently beenequipped in a single mobile communication terminal. For example,functions, such as an entertainment function (e.g., a game function), amultimedia function (e.g., a music/video reproducing function), acommunication and security function for mobile banking and the like, aschedule management function, and an e-wallet function, are integratedin a single electronic device, in addition to a communication function.

It has become popular to use an electronic device, which is integratedwith various functions, for example, networking, and is miniaturized tobe conveniently portable as described above. For example, users carry anelectronic device and use the electronic device. The electronic device,which is carried by the users as described above, may be exposed tovarious external environments. For example, the operating environment ofthe electronic device may change depending on the daily change ofweather or the external activities of the users, and the electronicdevice may be exposed to contamination that is caused by water orforeign matter.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is made to address at least the above describedproblems and disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below.

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a structure that iscapable of protecting an electronic device from contamination and allowthe electronic device to be operated despite the change in operatingenvironment as described above, and to provide a manufacturing methodthat is capable of implementing the structure.

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a connection devicethat is capable of preventing water or foreign matter from infiltratinginto the inside of an electronic device from the outside, and to providea method of manufacturing the connection device and an electronic devicethat includes the connection device.

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a connection devicethat is capable of being miniaturized while providing a dustproof andwaterproof function, and to provide a method of manufacturing theconnection device and an electronic device that includes the connectiondevice.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there isprovided a connection device that includes a housing that includes afirst face, into which a plug is introduced, and a second face that isformed to be in contact with the first face, a connection hole thatextends to the inside of the housing from the first, an opening thatextends from the first face to the second face to partially expose theconnection hole on at least the second face, and a sealing member thatis arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the housing to surround aregion where the opening is formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the connection deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a state wherethe connection device is partially disassembled;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the connection deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a portionof the connection device is viewed from another direction;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the connection deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which theconnection device is viewed from another direction;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the connection device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view illustrating the connection device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the connection deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a state wherethe connection device is partially disassembled;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the connection device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the connection device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the connection deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a state wherethe connection device is partially disassembled;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating the connection device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view illustrating the connection device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a rear view illustrating the connection device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 17 to 20 illustrate a process of manufacturing a portion of theconnection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 21 to 23 illustrate a process of forming a sealing member of aconnection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view illustrating a connection device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where a portion ofthe housing of the connection device is cut away;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device thatincludes a connection device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the case memberof an electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device in astate where the connection device is mounted on the case member of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view illustrating a plug in a state where theplug is inserted into a connection device according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a front view illustrating the plug in a state where the plugis inserted into the connection device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing aconnection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, itshould be understood that there is no limiting the present disclosure tothe particular forms disclosed herein, rather, the present disclosureshould be construed to cover various modifications, equivalents, and/oralternatives of embodiments of the present disclosure. In describing thedrawings, similar reference numerals may be used to designate similarconstituent elements.

In the present disclosure, the expressions “A or B”, “at least one of Aor/and B”, or “one or more of A or/and B” may include all possiblecombinations of the items listed. For example, the expressions “A or B”,“at least one of A and B”, or “at least one of A or B” refer to all of(1) including at least one A, (2) including at least one B, or (3)including all of at least one A and at least one B.

The expressions “a first”, “a second”, “the first”, or “the second” usedin various embodiments of the present disclosure may modify variouscomponents regardless of the order and/or the importance but do notlimit the corresponding components. For example, a first user device anda second user device refer to different user devices although both ofthem are user devices. For example, a first element may be referred toas a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred toas a first element without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

It should be understood that when an element (e.g., first element) isreferred to as being (operatively or communicatively) “connected,” or“coupled,” to another element (e.g., second element), it may be directlyconnected or coupled directly to the other element or any other element(e.g., third element) may be interposed between them. In contrast, it isunderstood that when an element (e.g., first element) is referred to asbeing “directly connected,” or “directly coupled” to another elements(second element), there are no element (e.g., third element) interposedbetween them.

The expression “configured to” used in the present disclosure may beused interchangeably with, for example, “suitable for”, “having thecapacity to”, “designed to”, “adapted to”, “made to”, or “capable of”according to the situation. The term “configured to” may not necessarilyimply “specifically designed to” in hardware. Alternatively, in somesituations, the expression “device configured to” may mean that thedevice, together with other devices or components, “is able to”. Forexample, the phrase “processor adapted (or configured) to perform A, B,and C” may refer to a dedicated processor (e.g. embedded processor) onlyfor performing the corresponding operations or a general-purposeprocessor (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) or application processor(AP)) that may perform the corresponding operations by executing one ormore software programs stored in a memory device.

In the present disclosure, the terms are used to describe specificembodiments, and do not limit the present disclosure. As used herein,the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the description, itshould be understood that the terms “include” or “have” indicateexistence of a feature, a number, a step, an operation, a structuralelement, parts, or a combination thereof, and do not previously excludethe existences or probability of addition of one or more anotherfeatures, numeral, steps, operations, structural elements, parts, orcombinations thereof.

Unless defined differently, all terms used herein, which includetechnical terminologies or scientific terminologies, have the samemeaning as that understood by a person skilled in the art to which thepresent disclosure belongs. Such terms as those defined in a generallyused dictionary are to be interpreted to have the same meanings as thecontextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to beinterpreted to have ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearlydefined in the present disclosure. In some cases, even the terms definedin the present disclosure should not be interpreted to excludeembodiments of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, an electronic device may be a random device,and the electronic device may be referred to as a terminal, a portableterminal, a mobile terminal, a communication terminal, a portablecommunication terminal, a portable mobile terminal, a display device andthe like.

The electronic device may be a smartphone, a portable phone, a gameplayer, a TV, a display unit, a heads-up display unit for a vehicle, anotebook computer, a laptop computer, a tablet personal computer (PC), apersonal media player (PMP), a personal digital assistant (PDA), and thelike. The electronic device may be implemented as a portablecommunication terminal which has a wireless communication function andis pocket size. Further, the electronic device may be a flexible deviceor a flexible display device.

The electronic device may communicate with an external electronicdevice, such as a server and the like, or perform an operation throughan interworking with an external electronic device. For example, theelectronic device may transmit an image photographed by a camera and/orposition information detected by a sensor unit to the server through anetwork. The network may be a mobile or cellular communication network,a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a widearea network (WAN), the Internet, a small area network (SAN) and thelike, but is not limited thereto.

In describing the specific embodiments of the present disclosure,connection devices of different embodiments will be denoted by referencenumerals such as “100,” “100 a,” “100 b,” and “100 c” in order todistinguish the connection devices from each other. However, in acertain embodiment, even if a connection device is denoted only byreference numeral “100,” it may designate all the connection devices ofrespective embodiments to be described below. For example, in thedetailed descriptions made with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27, theconnection device may be denoted only by the reference numeral “100,”which may designate various embodiments of the connection device to bedescribed below.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice that includes the above-described connection device is capable ofproviding a dustproof and waterproof function since the connectiondevice is accommodated in the inside of a case member and the sealingmember forms a sealing structure between the housing and the casemember. The sealing member may be simultaneously attached to the outerperipheral surface of the housing when the sealing member is moldedthrough insert injection molding. The sealing member may be manufacturedseparately from the housing and may be attached to the housing via, forexample, an adhesive or tape.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the connectiondevice is capable of forming a dustproof and waterproof structure sincethe sealing member, which is attached to the outer peripheral surface ofthe housing, is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface ofthe case member of the electronic device. In implementing such aconnection device, the size (e.g., the thickness) of the housing isreduced to such an extent that an opening that outwardly exposes aportion of a connection member (e.g., a plug), which is accommodated inthe connection device, and the sealing member is arranged around theopening. Thus, miniaturization of the connection device may befacilitated. As the connection device, which is accommodated in the casemember of the electronic device, is miniaturized, freedom of design maybe improved on the exterior of the case member of the electronic device.For example, the connection device is capable of contributing to theaesthetics of the exterior of the electronic device while implementing adustproof and waterproof structure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device 100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is aperspective view illustrating the connection device 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure in a state where the connectiondevice is partially disassembled. FIG. 3 is a perspective viewillustrating the connection device 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, in which a portion of the connection device isviewed from another direction. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustratingthe connection device 100 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, in which the connection device is viewed from anotherdirection.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection device 100 includes a housing101, to which an external connection device (e.g., a plug that isprovided at an end of a cable) is accommodated and coupled, and asealing member 121 that is mounted on the outer peripheral surface ofthe housing 101.

The housing 101 may include a connection hole 113 that extends from afirst face 111 a. In addition, the housing 101 may include an opening115 that extends from the first face 111 a to a second face 111 b thatis in contact with the first face 111 a. The opening 115 may beconnected to the connection hole 113 in the first face 111 a, and mayexpose the connection hole 113 to the outside up to at least the secondface 111 b. In the state where an external connection device is insertedinto the connection hole 113, a portion of the outer peripheral surfaceof the external connection device may be exposed through the opening115, or may protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the housing101 (e.g., the second face 111 b). For example, the connection hole 113may have a structure that allows a portion of the inserted externalconnection device to protrude to the outside through the opening 115while accommodating and fixing the inserted external connection device.

The housing 101, which includes the opening 115 as described above, maycontribute to the miniaturization of the connection device 100. Forexample, in the portion that corresponds to the second face 111 b, thethickness may be reduced between the inner peripheral surface of theconnection hole 113 and the outer peripheral surface of the housing 101,and the opening 115 may be formed. As compared to a structure in whichthe housing 101 completely encloses the periphery of an externalconnection device, the thickness or height of the connection device 100(e.g., the housing 101) may be reduced by reducing the thickness betweenthe inner peripheral surface of the connection hole 115 and the outerperipheral surface of the housing 101. The configuration of theabove-mentioned connection device will be described in more detail withreference to FIG. 29.

The sealing member 121 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface ofthe housing 101, and may be made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber,silicon, urethane, and the like). FIG. 2 illustrates the sealing member121 in the form of being assembled to the housing 101 in the state wherethe sealing member 121 is manufactured separately from the housing 101.However, the sealing member 121 may be attached and fixed to the outerperipheral surface of the housing 101 at the same time of being moldedthrough, for example, an insert injection molding process. The sealingmember 121 may have a closed loop shape, and may be arranged on theouter peripheral surface of the housing 101 to surround a region inwhich the opening 115 is formed.

The outer peripheral surface of the housing 101 may be subjected tosurface treatment (e.g., corrosion treatment) at least along a trace, inwhich the sealing member 121 is arranged and fixed, so as to strengthenthe attaching and fixing force of the sealing member 121. For example,by increasing the surface roughness of the surface, on which the sealingmember 121 is formed and attached, so as to increase the contact areabetween the housing 101 and the sealing member 121, the attaching andfixing force may be improved. A fixing recess 117 may be formed on theouter peripheral surface of the housing 101 so as to provide a space inwhich the sealing member 121 is formed or attached. The fixing recess117 may be formed across the first and second faces 111 a and 111 b, andmay form a looped curve that surrounds the region in which the opening115 is formed. By forming the fixing recess 117 as described above, itis possible to improve the attaching and fixing force of the sealingmember 121. In addition, by increasing the surface roughness of thebottom or inner side walls of the fixing recess 117 through surfacetreatment, such as abrasion, it is possible to further improve theattaching and fixing force between the housing 101 and the sealingmember 121.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection device 100 may include aplurality of connection terminals. Each of first ends 135 a of theconnection terminals may protrude from the inner peripheral surface ofthe connection hole 113 to be electrically connected to an externalconnection device that is inserted into the connection hole 113. Each ofthe second ends 135 b of the connection terminals may protrude to theoutside of the housing 101. The second ends 135 b may be arranged on athird face 111 c of the housing 101. For example, the third face 111 cmay be a face that is in contact with or is opposite to the first face111 a or the second face 111 b. This embodiment provides an example inwhich the third face 111 c is arranged to be opposite to the second face111 b while being in contact with the first face 111 a. The third face111 c may be positioned to face the first face 111 a while being incontact with the second face 111 b, or may be positioned to be incontact with each of the first and second faces 111 a and 111 b. Theface, on which the second ends 135 b are arranged, may be properlydesigned in consideration of, for example, the shape of the housing 101,and the position and the structure where the connection device 100 isarranged within the electronic device.

A circuit board 131 may be arranged on the third face 111 c of thehousing 101. A side wall 125 a may be formed on the third face 111 calong the peripheral edge of the third face 111 c. The side wall 125 amay form, on the third face 111 c, a space that accommodates the circuitboard 131. The circuit board 131 may be formed of a rigid circuit boardor a flexible printed circuit board, and a second circuit board 133 mayextend from one side edge or opposite side edges of the circuit board131 across the side wall 125 a to protrude to the outside of the housing101. The second circuit board 133 may provide a means for connecting thecircuit board 131 to other circuit devices of the electronic device, andmay be a flexible printed circuit board. On the side wall 125 a, awiring recess may be formed by removing a portion of the side wall 125 aso as to provide a space, across which the second circuit board 133 isarranged.

When the circuit board 131 is arranged on the third face 111 c, each ofthe second ends 135 b of the connection terminals may be positioned onthe circuit board 131. The circuit board 131 may be arranged on thethird face 111 c of the housing 101 through a surface mounting process.In the surface mounting process, each of the second ends 135 b may besoldered to a proper position on the circuit board 131.

In the state where the circuit board 131 is arranged, a second sealingmember 123 a may be arranged on the third face 111 c. The second sealingmember 123 a may block the infiltration of water or foreign matterthrough a route that is formed in the process of arranging theconnection terminals (e.g., the route that is from the first end 135 ato the second end 135 b). The sealing member 123 a may be made of anelastic material that is the same as the sealing member 121. The secondsealing member 123 a may be formed of a cured resin layer that isobtained by coating and curing a resin, such as epoxy, or may beimplemented by attaching a separate sheet. The circuit board 131 itselfmay also block the route that is formed by arranging the connectionterminals. This embodiment exemplifies a structure in which the secondsealing member 123 a is formed of the cured resin layer.

As described below, the sealing member 121 may block a route, throughwhich water or foreign matter may infiltrate into a gap between theconnection device 100 and the case member of the electronic device. Forexample, in a route where an external connection device reaches theconnection hole 113 from the outside of the case member of theelectronic device, the sealing member 121 may form a dustproof andwaterproof structure between the inner peripheral surface of the casemember of the electronic device and the outer peripheral surface of thehousing 101. Water or foreign matter may also infiltrate through theconnection hole 113. The second sealing member 123 a may block theinfiltration of water or foreign matter into the inside of theelectronic device along the route in which the connection terminals arearranged.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a plan viewillustrating the connection device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 7 is a bottom view illustrating the connectiondevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is aperspective view illustrating the connection device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure in a state where the connectiondevice is partially disassembled.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, theconnection device 100 a may be different from that in the precedingembodiment in terms of the structure of arranging the sealing member 123b. In describing the connection device 100 a the components that may beunderstood through the connection device 100 of the preceding embodimentmay be denoted by the same reference numerals or the reference numeralsmay be omitted. In addition, the detailed descriptions thereof may alsobe omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, the connection device 100 a may include asecond sealing member 123 b that is attached to the third face 111 c ofthe housing 101 with a circuit board 131 interposed in between. Thesealing member 123 b may be implemented by a waterproof sheet in theform of a flat plate or a synthetic resin film that is made of asynthetic resin or an elastic material (e.g., rubber, silicon, urethane,and the like). The second sealing member 123 b may be attached to thecircuit board 131, or may be attached to the third face 111 c via anadhesive member 127 a, such as an adhesive or tape. The second sealingmember 123 b may be attached within the space that is surrounded by theside wall 125 a. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, thedescription “the second sealing member is attached to the third face”may refer to a structure in which the adhesive member 127 a attaches thesecond sealing member 123 b to the upper end of the side wall 125 a.While this embodiment provides a frame shape, the adhesive member 127 amay have the form of a flat plate or a film that is the same form as thesecond sealing member 123 b. When a portion of the side wall 125 a wasremoved in order to wire the second circuit board 133, a third sealingmember 123 c may be arranged to form a dustproof and waterproofstructure while closing the space for wiring the second circuit board133. In arranging the third sealing member 123 c, an adhesive member,such as an adhesive or tape, may be provided between the third sealingmember 123 c and the second circuit board 133, or between the thirdsealing member 123 c and the side wall 125 a.

In the above-described embodiment, the second sealing members 123 a and123 b may be arranged within the space that is formed by the side wall125 a. For example, the second sealing members 123 a and 123 b may beformed or arranged to have a height that is the same as the side wall125 a or is lower than the side wall 125 a from the third face 111 c.When the second sealing members 123 a and 123 b are arranged within thespace where the circuit board 131 is arranged, a dustproof andwaterproof structure may be formed without increasing the thickness ofthe connection device 100 (e.g., the housing 101).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a plan viewillustrating the connection device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the connectiondevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 isa perspective view illustrating the connection device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure in a state where the connectiondevice is partially disassembled.

The connection device 100 b is capable of blocking the infiltration ofwater or foreign matter along a route in which connection terminals arearranged, by using the circuit board 131. In describing the connectiondevice 100 b according to this embodiment, the components that may beunderstood through the connection devices 100 and 100 a of the precedingembodiments may be denoted by the same reference numerals or thereference numerals may be omitted. In addition, the detaileddescriptions thereof may also be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12, in arranging the circuit board 131 on thethird face 111 c, an adhesive member 123 d (e.g., a waterproof tape) maybe interposed between the circuit board 131 and the third face 111 c.The adhesive member 123 d may have a frame shape that is attached to atleast the peripheral edge of one face of the circuit board 131 andfurther, to an edge on the bottom of the third face 111 c. In order toattach the circuit board 131 to the third face 111 c more rigidly, theadhesive member 123 d may further include a reinforcement portion 123 e.For example, the entire face of the circuit board 131, except for theroute in which the second ends 135 b of the connection terminals reachthe circuit board 131, may be attached to the third face 111 c by theadhesive member 123 d.

The housing 101 may include wiring recesses 125 b that are formed in theside wall 125 a, and the adhesive member 123 d may be partiallypositioned in the wiring recesses 125 b so as to attach and fix thesecond circuit board 133 to the wiring recesses 125 b. The circuit board131 may include holes that are formed to correspond to the second ends135 b of the connection terminals. The holes may be closed by solder ina surface mounting process. For example, by attaching the circuit board131 to the third face 111 c by using the adhesive member (e.g., awaterproof tape) 123 d, it is possible to block water or foreign matterinfiltration route, which is formed by arranging the connectionterminals.

The second sealing member 123 a (e.g., the above-mentioned cured resinlayer) may be arranged between the circuit board 131 and the third face111 c. In addition, the second ends 135 b of the connection terminalsmay be formed on a face that is opposite to the first face 111 a, or aface that is in contact with both the first and second faces 111 a and111 b. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing101 may have a hexahedral shape, in which the portions of the outerperipheral surface of the housing 101 are referred to as a “first face,”a “second face,” and “third face,” respectively. However, this is merelyfor description, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Forexample, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the housing 101may be formed as a curved surface, and the position where the opening115 is formed and the position where the second ends 135 b of theconnection terminals are arranged may be changed according to the shapeof the housing 101.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a plan viewillustrating the connection device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 15 is a bottom view illustrating the connectiondevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 isa rear view illustrating the connection device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, the second ends 135 b of the connectionterminals may be arranged on the third face 111 c that is opposite tothe first face 111 a of the housing 101. The third face 111 c may bepositioned to be in contact with the second face 111 b of the housing101 while being opposite to the first face 111 a.

The housing 101 may include an opening 115 that is formed to extend fromthe second face 111 b while being connected to the connection hole 113in the first face 111 a, and a sealing member 121 of a closed loop shapemay be formed on or attached to the outer peripheral surface of thehousing 101 to surround the region in which the opening 115 is formed.The circuit board 131 is mounted on the third face 111 c so that each ofthe second ends 135 b may be connected to the circuit board 131. Asdescribed above, the second ends 135 b may be connected to the circuitboard 131 by soldering. A second sealing member (a cured resin layer)123 f of FIG. 19, may be arranged between the third face 111 c and thecircuit board 131. The second sealing member 123 f may be formed bycoating a resin (e.g., epoxy) on the third face 111 c, and then curingthe resin before the circuit board 131 is mounted. The second sealingmember 123 f may be implemented by, for example, waterproof tape.

Hereinafter, a part of the process of manufacturing the connectiondevice 100 c will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20.

FIGS. 17 to 20 illustrate a process of manufacturing a portion of theconnection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 17 to 20, the connection terminals 135 may beassembled to the housing 101 from the third face 111 c. The housing 101may be manufactured by injection molding, and the sealing member 121 maybe formed on or attached to the outer peripheral surface of the housing101 (e.g., the first and second faces 111 a and 111 b). For example, thesealing member 121 may be molded to the outer peripheral surface of thehousing 101 by arranging the molded housing 101 within a mold and then,pouring a molten resin into the mold. Alternatively, a separatelymanufactured sealing member 121 may be attached to the housing 101 byusing an adhesive or tape.

The connection terminals 135 may be assembled to the housing 101 by thenumber of signal lines that are arranged in an external connectiondevice to be connected to the connection device 100 c. As describedabove, the first ends 135 a of the connection terminals 135 may protrudeto the inside of the connection hole 113, and the second ends 135 b mayprotrude to the outside of the housing 101 (e.g., the third face).

A side wall may be formed on the peripheral edge of the third face 111c. In the space that is surrounded by the side wall on the third face111 c, the second sealing member 123 f (e.g., the waterproof sheet of anelastic material) may be arranged or a cured resin layer may be formed,as described above. As a result, the infiltration of water or foreignmatter is blocked through the route in which the connection terminals135 are arranged.

In the state where the second sealing member 123 f is arranged orformed, the circuit board 131 may be mounted on the third face 111 c toconceal the second sealing member 123 f. The second ends 135 b of theconnection terminals 135 may protrude from the second sealing member 123f to be connected to the circuit board 131. An adhesive member may bearranged between the circuit board 131 and the third face 111 c toreplace the second sealing member 123 f. For example, by attaching thecircuit board 131 to the third face 111 c by using the waterproof tape,the circuit board 131 itself may form a dustproof and waterproofstructure.

FIGS. 21 to 23 illustrate a process of forming a sealing member of aconnection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 24 is a sectional view illustrating a connection device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where a portion ofthe housing of the connection device is cut away.

FIGS. 21 to 23 illustrate a process of forming the sealing member 121 byinsert injection molding, and FIG. 24 illustrates a state in which thesealing member 121 is formed or disposed on the outer peripheral surfaceof the housing 101.

Referring to FIGS. 21 to 23, in forming the sealing member 121 on theouter peripheral surface of the housing 101 by insert injection molding,the housing 101 may be deformed by the pouring pressure of the moltenresin for forming the sealing member 121. In manufacturing theconnection device 100, the deformation of the housing 101 may beprevented by performing the insert injection molding in the state wherea dummy plug 104 is coupled to the housing 101.

According to the shape of an external connection device, the shape ofthe connection hole 113 may also be deformed to be suitable for theshape of the external connection device. The external connection device(e.g., a plug) to be coupled to the connection device 100 may have acircular shape in cross-section, and a portion of the externalconnection device may have a different diameter. The connection hole 113may have a first hole portion 113 a that extends from the first face 111a, and a second hole portion 113 b that extends from an end of the firsthole portion 113 a. The first hole portion 113 a may extend from thesecond face 111 b by the length of the opening 115, and the second holeportion 113 b may have a diameter that is smaller than that of the firsthole portion 113 a.

In the insert injection molding process, assuming that the pouringpressure of the molten resin, which is applied to the portion where thesealing member 121 is formed, is uniform, the deformation of the housing100 may be more likely to be caused in a relatively thin portion. Forexample, the portion between the second face 111 b and the innerperipheral surface of the connection hole 113 may be formed to bethinner than the other portion. In the insert injection molding process,the relatively thin portion may be deformed by the pouring pressure ofthe molten resin. However, by inserting the dummy plug 104, the strengthof the relatively thin portion may be reinforced by the dummy plug 104in the insert injection molding process. Thus, it is possible to preventthe housing 101 from being deformed by the pouring pressure of themolten resin in the insert injection molding process.

In addition, in the insert injection molding process, the molten resinfor forming the sealing member 121 may flow into a non-designed portion(e.g., the inside of the connection hole 113). This may cause a defectin the housing 101. However, by inserting the dummy plug 104 into theconnection hole 113 in the process of forming the sealing member 121, itis possible to prevent the molten resin from flowing into the connectionhole 113.

As described above, the sealing member 121 may be attached to thehousing 101 via an adhesive member, such as an adhesive or tape, ratherthan being formed through insert injection molding.

Referring to FIG. 24, a portion of the sealing member 121 isaccommodated in a fixing recess 117 that is formed on the outerperipheral surface of the housing 101, and another portion may protrudefrom the outer peripheral surface of the housing 101. In order tostrengthen the attaching and fixing force between the sealing member 121and the housing 101, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of thehousing 101 (e.g., the bottom or inner walls of the fixing recess 117)may have a high surface roughness through corrosion treatment. In theportion where the sealing member 121 protrudes to the outer peripheralsurface of the housing 101, the sealing member 121 may have a shape, ofwhich the width gradually decreases in the direction away from the outerperipheral surface of the housing 101.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device 10 thatincludes a connection device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 25, the electronic device 10 includes a case member 11that has a front face on which a display device 12 is installed. Thedisplay device 12 may be arranged to output a screen to the front faceof the case member 11 while being embedded in the case member 11. Atouch panel may be incorporated in the display device 12 to implement avirtual keypad that may replace a mechanically operated keypad. A powerkey or a volume key may be implemented as a mechanically operated keyand may be arranged on a side face or the front face of the case member.

Within the case member 11, various circuit devices may be accommodatedto control the electronic device. The circuit devices, which areaccommodated in the case member, may include one or more processors(e.g., an application processor (AP)), a communication module, asubscriber identification module, a memory, a sensor module, an inputdevice, a display (e.g., the display device 12), an interface, an audiomodule, a camera module, a power management module, a battery, anindicator, and a motor.

A keypad 13 and/or a reception unit 15 are disposed below and above thedisplay device 12, respectively, so as to enable the input/output ofinformation, and for example, an illuminance sensor or a proximitysensor may be arranged around the display device 12.

The above-described connection device 100 is mounted inside the casemember 11, and an insertion hole 17, which is connected to theconnection device 100, may be formed in the case member 11. Theinsertion hole 17 may be formed on a side face of the case member 11(e.g., the upper end face), and may provide a route that allows anexternal connection device (e.g., a plug that is connected to anearphone or a plug that is connected to a data cable) to be introducedinto the connection hole 113 of the connection device 100.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the case memberof an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present. FIG.27 is a perspective view illustrating a connection device 100 in a statewhere the connection device 100 is mounted on the case member of anelectronic device according an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, a main circuit board 19 may be disposedinside the case member 11. Within the case member 11, an auxiliarycircuit board may be further arranged in addition to the main circuitboard 19 in consideration of the shape of the inner space and thearrangement of circuit devices. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the connection device 100 is installed within thecase member 11 in the state in which the connection device 100 ismounted on the main circuit board 19. However, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto, and the connection device 100 may be mounted on thecase member 11 or on a separate auxiliary circuit board. Some or all ofthe above-mentioned circuit devices may be properly arranged on the maincircuit board 19, and the connection device 100 may be electricallyconnected to the main circuit board 19 through the second circuit board133.

When the connection device 100 is installed within the case member 11,the connection hole 113 may be aligned to the insertion hole 17. FIGS.28 and 29 illustrate a structure in which the connection device 100 isinstalled within the case member 11, and a state in which an externalconnection device (e.g., a plug) is connected to the connection device100, respectively.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view illustrating a plug in a state where theplug is inserted into a connection device according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 29 is a front view illustrating the plug ina state where the plug is inserted into the connection device 100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, the sealing member 121 may form adustproof and waterproof structure by being in close contact with theinner peripheral surface of the case member 11. For example, water orforeign matter, which infiltrates through, for example, the insertionhole 17, may infiltrate into the inside of the case member 11 through agap between the inner peripheral surface of the case member 11 and theouter peripheral surface of the housing 101. The sealing member 121 mayblock the infiltration route of such water or foreign matter. A portionof the sealing member 121 extends into a gap between the first face 111a and the case member 11 around the region where the insertion hole 17is formed, and the other portion of the sealing member 121 extends tothe second face 111 b, thereby forming a dustproof and waterproofstructure between the second face 111 b and the inner peripheral surfaceof the case member 11. Therefore, the route, which is continued to theinside of the case member 11 from the insertion hole 17 through the gapbetween the outer peripheral surface of the housing 101 and the innerperipheral surface of the case member 11, may be blocked by the sealingmember 121.

While water or foreign matter may infiltrate into the inside of theconnection hole 113, the dustproof and waterproof structure, which isformed by the second sealing member 123 a, 123 b, 123 f or the circuitboard 131 itself, may block the route through which the water or foreignmatter infiltrates into the inside of the case member 11 through theconnection hole 113. For example, the dustproof and waterproofstructure, which is formed by the second sealing member 123 a, 123 b,123 f or the circuit board 131 itself, may block the infiltration of thewater or foreign matter through the route in which the connectionterminals 135 are arranged.

As a result, the connection device 100 may prevent water or foreignmatter from infiltrating into the inside of the case member 11 of theelectronic device 10 while providing a connection means of an externaldevice.

The plug 141 may have a first portion 141 a that corresponds to thefirst hole portion 113 a and a second portion 141 b that corresponds tothe second hole portion 113 b. For example, the first portion 141 a mayhave a diameter that is larger than that of the second portion 141 b.When the plug 141 is inserted into the connection hole 113, the firstportion 141 a may be positioned within the first hole portion 113 a. Forexample, a portion of the first portion 141 a may be exposed to theoutside of the housing 101 through the opening 115. When the plug 141 isinserted into the connection hole 113, the second portion 141 b may beinserted into the housing 101 (e.g., the second hole portion 113 b ofthe connection hole 113) to be concealed. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the exposing or concealingstructure of the plug 141 may be implemented in various ways accordingto the shape of the connection hole 113 or the extension length of theopening 115.

The connection device 100 may be miniaturized by reducing the thickness(or height) thereof by forming the opening 115 that partially exposesthe first portion 141 a. The first portion 141 a may partially protrudefrom the outer peripheral surface (e.g., the second face 111 b) of thehousing 100 through the opening 115. However, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto, and a portion of the first portion 141 a may bepositioned to be lower than the outer peripheral surface of the housing101 (e.g., within the opening 115).

The opening 115 may also be formed in the fourth face 111 d that isopposite to the second face 111 b. For example, another opening, whichis arranged to be symmetric to the opening 115, may be formed in thefourth face 111 d, and the other portion of the first portion 141 a mayprotrude from the fourth face 111 d. By implementing the housing thathas the above-described shape, the thickness of the connection device100 may be further reduced. When the openings are formed in the secondand fourth faces 111 b and 111 d, respectively, the sealing member 121may have a closed loop shape that is formed from the second face 111 bto the fourth face 111 d via the first face 111 a. In FIG. 29, thesealing member 121, which is positioned on the first face 111 a, mayhave a shape that is similar to a “U” shape. With the structure in whichthe openings are formed in the second and fourth faces 111 b and 111 d,respectively, the sealing member 121 may be implemented in a shape thatextends to be aligned to the circumference of the connection hole 113 onthe first face 111 a, or extends to be aligned along an edge of thefirst face 111 a. In addition, in the structure in which the openingsare formed in the second and fourth faces 111 b and 111 d, respectively,the second ends 135 b of the connection members 135 may be arranged onthe face that is opposite to the first face 111 a.

By reducing the thickness of the housing 101 and forming the opening 115as described above, it is possible to reduce the thickness of theconnection device 100. The connection device 100 is arranged to beadjacent to an edge within the case member 11. Thus, the freedom ofdesign for the exterior of the case member 11 may vary depending on thesize (e.g., the thickness) of the connection device 100. For example, asthe size of the connection device 100 increases, a portion of the casemember 11, which accommodates the connection device 100, may alsoincrease, and there may be difficulty in implementing a curved surfaceon the case member 11. A dustproof and waterproof structure may beimplemented while reducing the thickness of the connection device 100.Thus, the reliability of an electronic device may be improved whileimproving the freedom of design in implementing the exterior of theelectronic device.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a connection device includes a housing that includes a firstface, into which a plug is introduced, and a second face that is formedto be in contact with the first face, a connection hole that extends tothe inside of the housing from the first face to accommodate the plug,an opening that extends from the first face to the second face topartially expose the connection hole on at least the second face, and asealing member that is arranged on an outer peripheral surface of thehousing to surround a region where the opening is formed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealing memberhas a closed loop shape.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plug includesa first portion and a second portion having a diameter that is smallerthan that of the first portion, and in a state where the plug isinserted into the connection hole, the first portion is positioned onthe opening, and the second portion is inserted into the connection holeto be concealed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of thefirst portion protrudes to the outer peripheral surface of the housingthrough the opening.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectiondevice further includes connection terminals, each of which includes afirst end that protrudes to an inner peripheral surface of theconnection hole, and a second end that protrudes to the outside of thehousing.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housingfurther includes a third face that is in contact with or is opposite tothe first face or the second face, and the second ends of the connectionterminals are arranged on the third face.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectiondevice further includes a circuit board that is coupled to face thethird face. Each of the connection terminals are connected to thecircuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectorfurther includes a circuit board that is coupled to face the third face,and a second sealing member that is formed to face the third face withthe circuit board being interposed therebetween. Each of the connectionterminals are connected to the circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second sealingmember includes a cured resin layer that is coated on the third face.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second sealingmember includes a waterproof sheet that is attached to the third face.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectiondevice further includes a circuit board that is coupled to face thethird face, and a waterproof tape that attaches the circuit board to thethird face to form a waterproof structure. Each of the connectionterminals are connected to the circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectiondevice further includes a circuit board that is coupled to face thethird face, and a cured resin layer that is coated on the third facebetween the third face and the circuit board. Each of the connectionterminals is connected to the circuit board on the cured resin layer.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third face maybe arranged to be opposite to the second face while being in contactwith the first face, or to be opposite to the first face while being incontact with the second face.

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes the connection device as described above.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice further includes a case member that accommodates the connectiondevice, and the sealing member forms a waterproof structure between thehousing and the inner peripheral surface of the case member.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice further includes an insertion hole that is formed in the casemember, and the connection hole is aligned to the insertion hole.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of thesealing member is disposed to surround a portion of a region where theinsertion hole is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the casemember.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing aconnection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In describing the manufacturing method, reference may be made to thestructures of the connection devices and the components thereof of theabove-described embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 30, the manufacturing method S100 includes a step ofproviding a housing S101, and a step of arranging a sealing member S102.In addition, the manufacturing method (S100) further includes steps forforming a dustproof and waterproof structure in a route where connectionmembers are arranged in steps S141 a, S143 b, and S143 c while arrangingthe connection members and a circuit board in steps S103, S141 b, andS141 c.

The operation of providing the housing in step S101, refers to anoperation of providing the above-mentioned housing 101, and the housing101 may be manufactured by, for example, injection molding. When thehousing 101 is provided, the operation of arranging the sealing memberin step S102 is performed. If necessary, an operation of performingsurface treatment (hereinafter, referred to as a “corrosion operation”)on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 101 in step S111 may beperformed in advance. Such surface treatment refers, for example, toperforming corrosion treatment on the surface of the housing 101, andmay increase the surface roughness to strengthen the attaching andfixing force between the housing 101 and the sealing member 121. On theouter peripheral surface of the housing 101, a fixing recess 117 may beformed so as to form the sealing member 121 therein, or to attach thesealing member 121 thereto. The fixing recess 117 may be formed in theoperation of providing the housing in step S101 or in the corrosionoperation in step S111.

In the operation of arranging the sealing member in step S102, thesealing member 121 may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of thehousing 101 through an insert injection molding process. A separatelymanufactured sealing member 121 may be attached to the outer peripheralsurface of the housing 101. When the sealing member 121 is formedthrough the insert injection molding process, a dummy plug 104 may beinserted into the connection hole 113 of the housing 101 in the insertinjection molding process so that deformation of the housing 101 may beprevented. When the sealing member 121 is attached to the housing 101,an adhesive member, such as an adhesive or tape, may be used.

The operation of arranging the connection members in step S103 refers toan operation of assembling the connection members 135 to the housing101, in which the first ends 135 a of the connection members 135 mayprotrude to the connection hole 113 of the housing 101, and the secondends 135 b may protrude to the outside of the housing 101. The operationof arranging the connection members in step S103 is performed after theoperation of arranging the sealing member in step S102, however, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the operation ofarranging the sealing member in step S102 may be performed afterarranging the connection members in step S103 in advance.

After the connection members 135 are arranged, the operation ofarranging circuit boards in the housing 101 in steps S141 b, S141 c andS143 a may be performed through, for example, a surface mountingprocess. Before or after the operation of arranging the circuit boardsin steps S141 b, S141 c and S143 a, an operation of forming or arranginga second sealing member in steps S141 a, S143 b, and S143 c may beperformed. The order of the operations of arranging the circuit boardsand the second sealing member may be properly selected according to thespecification of a connection device to be manufactured or the structureof the housing 101. A specific embodiment of the present disclosure hasdescribed above an example, in which a circuit board is attached to thehousing by using an adhesive member 123 d of FIG. 12 (e.g., a waterprooftape) so that a dustproof and waterproof structure is formed by thecircuit board itself.

When the second sealing members 123 d and 123 f of FIG. 19 are formed orarranged prior to the circuit board 131, a cured resin layer may beformed by coating a resin (e.g., epoxy), on the third face 111 c of thehousing 101 and curing the resin in step S141 a, after the connectionmembers 135 are arranged. By forming the second sealing member 123 f,which is formed of the cured resin layer, the infiltration route ofwater or foreign matter, which is formed by the arrangement of theconnection members 135, may be blocked. After the cured resin layer isformed, the circuit board 131 may be arranged in the housing 101 in stepS143 a, which may be performed through a surface mounting process. Inthe operation of arranging the circuit board 131, each of the secondends 135 b of the connection members 135 may be connected to the circuitboard 131. When the circuit board 131 includes holes that are formed toaccommodate the second ends 135 b, the holes may be closed by, forexample, soldering. In the operation of arranging the circuit board instep S143 a, the circuit board 131 may be attached to the housing 101by, for example, an adhesive or tape.

As described above, when the circuit board 131 is attached to the thirdface 111 c of the housing 101 by using the adhesive member (e.g., awaterproof tape) 123 d, the circuit board 131 itself may form adustproof and waterproof structure. For example, the operation offorming the cured resin layer in step S141 a prior to arranging thecircuit board 131 may be replaced by the operation of arranging theadhesive member 123 d (e.g., a waterproof tape).

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the secondsealing member may be attached or formed in steps S143 b and S143 cafter arranging the circuit board in advance in the housing in step S141b.

The operation of arranging the circuit board 131 in advance in thehousing 101 may be performed through a surface mounting process. Throughthe operation of arranging the circuit board in step S143 b, the circuitboard 131 is arranged in the housing 101, and at the same time, thesecond ends 135 b of the connection members 135 may be connected (e.g.,soldered) to the circuit board 131.

In the state where the circuit board 131 is arranged, the operation ofattaching the second sealing member in step S143 b may attach the secondsealing member 123 b (e.g., a waterproof sheet in the form of a flatplate or a film) to the housing 101 by using, for example, the adhesivemember 127 a. The second sealing member 123 b may be arranged to facethe third face 111 c with the circuit board 131 being interposedtherebetween. In the operation of attaching the second sealing member123 b, an additional sealing member (e.g., the above-mentioned thirdsealing member 123 c) may be further arranged on the third face 111 c,as needed.

The operation of arranging the second sealing member after arranging thecircuit board may be replaced by the operation of forming the curedresin layer in step S143 c. For example, by coating and curing a resin,such as epoxy, on the third face 111 c after arranging the circuit board131 in the housing 101, a dustproof and waterproof structure may beformed while embedding the circuit board 131 on the third face 111 c.

As described above, a method of manufacturing a connection deviceincludes providing a housing that includes a first face, into which aplug is introduced, a second face that is formed to be in contact withthe first face, a connection hole that extends to the inside of thehousing from the first face to accommodate the plug, and an opening thatextends from the first face to the second face to partially expose theconnection hole on at least the second face, and arranging a sealingmember on an outer peripheral surface of the housing to surround aregion where the opening is formed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the arranging thesealing member include an insert injection molding operation of moldinga sealing member by pouring a resin into a mold in a state where thehousing is disposed in the mold, and the insert injection moldingoperation may be performed in a state where a dummy plug is insertedinto the connection hole.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, arranging thesealing member includes attaching a sealing member, which is preparedseparately from the housing, to the housing.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealing memberhas a closed loop shape, and the method further includes causing theouter peripheral surface of the housing to be corroded along at least atrace where the sealing member is attached, prior to arranging thesealing member.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method furtherincludes arranging connection terminals such that first ends of theconnection terminals protrude to an inner peripheral surface of theconnection hole, and second ends of the connection terminals protrude tothe outside of the housing, and arranging a circuit board that iscoupled outside the housing and is connected to the second ends of theconnection terminals.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housingfurther includes a third face that is in contact with or is opposite tothe first face or the second face, and the second ends of the connectionterminals may be arranged on the third face.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method furtherincludes forming a cured resin layer on the third face prior toarranging the circuit board, or on the third face, on which the circuitboard is arranged.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, arranging thecircuit board includes forming a waterproof structure by attaching thecircuit board to the third face by using a waterproof tape.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method furtherincludes attaching a second sealing member to the third face in a statewhere the circuit board is arranged on the third face such that thecircuit board is interposed between the third face and the sealingmember.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection device, comprising: a housingincluding an opening formed on a first external surface of the housingand a second external surface of the housing, the opening extending toan inner space of the housing; a sealing member disposed over at leastone portion of the first external surface and at least one portion ofthe second external surface; and an electrical connector extending fromthe inner space of the housing to an outer space of the housing, whereinthe electrical connector is disposed through a third external surface ofthe housing, the third external surface of the housing being in contactwith the first external surface of the housing, and wherein the innerspace of the housing is at least partially exposed via the opening ofthe first external surface.
 2. The connection device of claim 1, whereinthe first external surface contacts the second external surface.
 3. Theconnection device of claim 1, wherein the sealing member includesanother opening corresponding to at least one portion of the opening. 4.The connection device of claim 1, wherein the sealing member surroundsat least one portion of the opening.
 5. The connection device of claim1, wherein the sealing member is attached to the second external surfacevia an adhesive material.
 6. The connection device of claim 1, whereinthe electrical connector includes a plurality of connection terminals,at least one of the plurality of connection terminals having a first endprotruding toward the inner space of the housing and a second endprotruding toward the outer space of the housing.
 7. The connectiondevice of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a fourth surfacecontacting the second external surface, and wherein the connectiondevice further comprises a first circuit board disposed over the fourthsurface of the housing.
 8. The connection device of claim 7, wherein thefirst circuit board is attached to the fourth surface via an adhesivematerial.
 9. connection device of claim 7, wherein the electricalconnector is electrically connected to the first circuit board.
 10. Theconnection device of claim 9, wherein the electric connection betweenthe electrical connector and the first circuit board is establishedthrough a wiring recess formed on a peripheral edge between the externalthird surface and the fourth surface.
 11. The connection device of claim10, further comprising a second circuit board that connects the firstcircuit board to an external device.
 12. The connection device of claim1, wherein a first portion of the opening is formed on the firstexternal surface of the housing and a second portion of the opening isformed on the second external surface of the housing, such that at leastone portion of an external connection device protrudes from the secondexternal surface of the housing through the second portion of theopening while the external connection device is inserted into the innerspace of the housing through the first portion of the opening.
 13. Aportable communication device, comprising: a case frame forming at leastone portion of an outer surface of the portable communication device,the case frame including a hole formed thereon; a connection devicemounted at least partially in the case frame, the connection deviceincluding an electrical connector and an opening formed on a firstexternal surface of the connection device and a second external surfaceof the connection device, the electrical connector extending from aninner space of the connection device to an outer space of the connectiondevice, at least one portion of the opening exposing the inner space ofthe connection device to an outside of the portable communication devicevia the hole; and a sealing member mounted at least partially in thecase frame and covering at least one portion of the first externalsurface and at least one portion of the second external surface.
 14. Theportable communication device of claim 13, wherein the sealing member isinterposed between the case frame and the connection device, and whereinthe sealing member contacts the case frame and the connection device.15. The portable communication device of claim 13, wherein the sealingmember forms a waterproof structure for the connection device.
 16. Theportable communication device of claim 13, wherein the opening includesa first portion formed on the first external surface of the connectiondevice and a second portion formed on the second external surface of theconnection device, and wherein the first portion exposes the inner spaceof the connection device to the outside of the portable communicationdevice as the at least one portion of the opening.
 17. The portablecommunication device of claim 13, wherein at least one portion of thesealing member surrounds at least another portion of the opening.
 18. Aconnection device, comprising: a housing including a first externalsurface, a second external surface directly connected with the firstexternal surface, and a third external surface directly connected withthe first external surface, the first external surface including anopening extending to an inner space of the housing, at least one portionof the inner space being exposed via at least one portion of the secondexternal surface of the housing; a sealing member disposed over at leastpart of the first external surface of the housing and at least part ofthe second external surface of the housing; and one or more connectionterminals disposed through the third external surface of the housing, atleast one of the one or more connection terminals having a first endprotruding toward the inner space of the housing and a second endprotruding toward an outer space of the housing, wherein the inner spaceof the housing is at least partially exposed via the opening of thefirst external surface.